Aaaawww.... Now I Remeber...

I have always been a rather 'private' type of person. It isn't that I don't enjoy people, because I really do! I started writing my blog on AOL and when they sent these over to Blogger, I continued. But I wrote less and less.. I slowed down. It was a little more exposed, a little more open to the public. And while that is fine in one sense of the word, it isn't in many others.

I had what I felt this past week a violation of my privacy on Facebook, at least for me, it was slap in the face. I have my settings set at the most private I can for my friends. I guess what did not 'click' was others can see postings on my friends. Without going into details, someone felt I was spending my time unwisely when, in fact, I was explaining a situation. It wasn't at school I wrote this. It wasn't even early in the afternoon. It was done around 5:30ish in the evening. It wasn't about anything "immoral" or vulgar... Why have people gotten to be so critical of others when they feel they have not gotten their way?

Just a note: If you are the person that sent me the note about my Facebook post, answer this not. I care nothing of your opinion. You know not of what you speak.

Jackie

Already another year??

I saw someone from my "bloggin" world had posted on another bloggin' friend's blog. It was good to read her posts again and made me wish I had kept up with my bloggin'. It made me look up my password, then saw it has been over a year since I posted. However, it is about the same time of year. Ready to be finished with another school year and ready to take on another summer vacation. Boring, I guess to some, but if you have ever worked in a school system, you know after spring break, it's all down hill. This year, spring break was more than a month later than 'normal' (whatever the heck that is), and all of us, are itching for it to be over. The popular question often asked is, "How many...." Me: "9 & 14", I answer before they finish asking. (9= days left w/ students & 14= days before teachers are really finished....). I am, however, just tickled I have a job. Yes, seriously. My friend, Bo, has been out of work for 2 years this month.

My mantra this school year has been, "When pigs fly!"

I am hoping for a better school year in the future and a mantra that has a more positive tone. Maybe, like, "Why yes, I'll take a raise and thank you for not stealing it back in the form of more taxes, paying higher insurance rates and having to buy more school supplies this year!"   

Yeah, right.... the dream gets bigger.... :)

Another week down and about 4 (or is it 5?) to go until school is out. This year has steadly gone from good down to "oh my gosh, what the h*ll are they thinking?" So, is it June 3rd yet?? Calgon, take me away!!!

It's All New and I'm 52

It's been almost a year since my last post. I'm not even sure if I still have any readers or not. I hope some of you will get this and let me know how you are!!

A lot has happened in the past year plus. My 50th year left a lot to be desired in the way of happiness, but I have since found life can be worse. And better.... all at the same time. Simplification and enjoyment of life has become a necessity. Last year at this time, I was going through what I thought would probably be my last spring. You see, last February I was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. It is a slow-growing, not smoking related (i had not smoked in over 13 years), very common lung cancer. I was shocked and had the biggest pity party anyone would never want to go to! I had six round of chemo, with the last one being the last week of June, 2010. It had shrunk a bit and I have CT scans every 6 weeks. So far, it has not shown any new growth in size! I have since found a new enjoyment with every positive scan and I live my life for the love and happiness I find in small things.

About two weeks ago, I had my 52 birthday and I'm continuing to live. I am healthy (haha, I know that's funny), happy and trying to be the best person possible. There is hope that in the very least, growth will not happen.

Here is my question. Do any of you know anyone that has or has survived lung cancer? I would like to get to know them!!

Jackie

Let's Not Have Another Friday Like The Last One!

You know, some days are just not worth repeating. Friday was one of those days. There are three main reasons:

1. I had been making calls to Boston to try new treatments for my lung cancer. I don't qualify.

2. Run-in with redneck parents over a cap & gown needed for Monday.

3. One of my kids did not get on the bus yesterday afternoon and no one could find her. Until we had been searching for her for hours. And hours. She ran away to her mom's about 50 miles away.

I am so ready for school to be out. I need a break!!!

Do you remember me??

Yes, it's been well over a year. A wham-bam packed year! I'll do my best to bring you up to speed.

The 2009-10 school year was the worst year since my first year of teaching. Plus a lot of things going on with my Dad. Let's just say that covers it, for the most part.

I bought a house last summer and in the middle of moving day, I had to go to the emergency room and had to have emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer. My stomach and duodenum had separated. Ten days later, I got out of the hospital...... and headed for the lung specialist because they saw a 'spot' in one of lungs when they were doing CT-scans to find out my state of emergency. From there, a PET scan to see if it was cancer. On a scale of 1-5, mine came back a 3. So then, wait and see. Plus, there was another spot in the other lung, along with 3 very small pin-points of spots scattered about randomly. ugh.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, I started a new school year and it has been so much better than last year. However, I had to go have CT-scans of my lungs to check and see if growth and been detected and yep, in January's scans, it had changed sizes. I had biopsy and in my mind, it was to eliminate the big "C". Boy, was I shocked to find out I was wrong!! It was positive. Shock!
(And no, I don't smoke)

Meanwhile, I am taking chemo. I have lost no weight, nor my hair. The hair has stopped growing, and a little thinner, but no one notices. Yesterday, I had my 4th treatment, leaving me only 2 more to go. Then, possible maintence drugs. We will see.

I've gotten 'homesick' for blogging. I hope I still have a few readers left out there!!

I Smell Spring!

The anticipation of spring always has me rather giddy! This year is no exception. I love the smell of freshly mowed spring grass. You can almost smell the chlorophyll exploding from the ground!

The cycle of life has once again raised it's beautiful head!